This mobile DUI processing unit, which is dispatched across the “Show Me” state for special alcohol enforcement activities, helped Missouri to effect 8,668 alcohol-related arrests in their last reporting period.

Missouri State Highway Patrol (MHP) Colonel Ron Replogle recently hosted the North Central regional meeting of the IACP State & Provincial Police (S&P) membership in Weldon Spring, Missouri. The meeting in June included a display of MHP specialty equipment and vehicles as well as a tour of the newly built facility.

Iowa State Police Chief Patrick Hoye, who serves as the chair of the region, delivered opening comments.

Afternoon presentations included:

Data Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety,

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, and

Digital Multimedia Evidence and Records Management.

The MHP has recently added a fleet of these new Dodge Chargers, replacing the Ford Crown Victoria sedans in their state. The units are all equipped with speed enforcement equipment, mobile data terminals, crash investigation tools, and first responder gear.

The second day began with presentations from the vendors sponsoring the event, including My Mobile Witness, Niche Technologies, and CARFAX. I then delivered an educational slide-set on the FBI National Data Exchange (N-DEx) program, which allows for the exchange of criminal justice records among federal, state, and local agencies. FBI Special Agent Jacques S. Battiste, who was present and representing the FBI director’s office and their Office of Law Enforcement Coordination (OLEC) as the 2012-2013 FBI designee to IACP, also spoke on the worth of N-DEx and its application to fusion center operations.

Other topics discussed during the event included:

ballistic vest wear policies,

managing protest groups,

electrical vehicle safety issues,

farm implement enforcement, and

budget/recruitment challenges.

This vehicle can be utilized by specially trained Missouri troopers during tactical deployments such as barricaded subjects, manhunts, fugitive apprehensions/warrant service, and active shooter scenes.

Minnesota Director of Public Safety Mark Dunaski voiced his support of the IACP Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) courses. MHP Lieutenant Colonel Matt Langer provided shared examples of LPO-driven staff development within his agency.

A session on the mass disaster planning associated with the Joplin tornado was delivered, and Colonel Replogle offered aid and equipment assistance to agencies that might experience similar events.